'I’ve lost a brother, sister and niece': Tributes paid to couple and four-year-old daughter killed in Exeter house fire

Tributes have been paid to a couple and their four-year-old daughter who died in a house fire.

Kaylie and Daniel Rudge, aged 28 and 29 respectively, were killed along with their daughter, Lilly, in the fire at their home on Clayton Road in Exeter, Devon, on Sunday morning.

Three other children, a seven-year-old girl and two boys aged four and nine, who were also in the house at the time remain in hospital in a stable condition.

Kaylie and Daniel, who had been married for five years, and their daughter were named locally as the victims of the fire.

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A GoFundMe page set up on behalf of Daniel’s bike club to raise money for funerals and the care of the couple’s surviving children has received more than £6,000 in donations.

The couple’s family confirmed their daughter Lilly also died in the fire.

Daniel’s sister, Mandy Rudge, 31, said: “There's not much we can say, words cannot describe how we feel. I've lost a brother, sister and niece.

"We were talking with them only the other day and now they're gone.

"Kaylie was the most beautiful person in the whole world and Daniel has the biggest heart in the world. They would do anything for anyone."

A friend of the family, Lauren England, said: "We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken not only to lose friends, but to help his sister and family get through this awful time.

"They were such funny, caring and loving individuals, amazing parents to their four beautiful babies.

"They were always there when we needed them the most without any hesitation, they were at our door within minutes, always thinking about everyone else but themselves.”

On Sunday, chief superintendent Daniel Evans of Devon and Cornwall Police said: “It has now been confirmed that two adults, a 28-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man, plus a four-year-old girl have all died following this house fire.

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“Next of kin have been informed and we will be supporting those affected with specialist officers.

“Two boys aged four and nine, and a seven-year-old girl who were also in the house at the time of the fire remain in hospital.

“All three are currently in a stable condition, and all will be transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital later today.

“All six within the property are related to each other.”

Police are still working to establish the cause of the fire.

Evans said: “Currently, there is nothing to indicate any third-party involvement in this matter and therefore we are not seeking anyone in connection to this fire at this time.

“This is a deeply upsetting incident and one that will cause great distress to the community, particularly to those who knew the family.”